ADHD-ish™ ADHD Business Strategy for Busy Brains

Many female solopreneurs start a business with nothing more than a good idea, a lot of passion, and a strong sense of purpose. Then they start collecting free and low-cost information and advice, followed by courses and massive group programs that can get them out of the starting blocks but will leave them stuck, stranded, or spinning their wheels at some point because they don’t actually know what they need to succeed or how to implement the information they have and in what order.  

The bottom line is that every single one of us is experiencing what I call “The Gap”, the space between where you are and where you want to be. It might be aspirational, motivational, financial or simply the ultimate expression of your potential or purpose, but however you define it, the gap is painful, especially if you are idealistic, and have a big bold vision for your business and the mark you want to make in the world. 

So, let’s dig into the 6 common problems that hold women back… 

The first 3 often travel together, like an unholy trinity, but I will address them one at a time because even though they frequently show up in our business and life, we don’t always have the entire cluster fuck to contend with at any given time. 

Procrastination 

You mean to do it. You know you should. It's not even that big a deal, but you just keep putting it off. This pattern of waiting until the last minute is called procrastination. It's very habit-forming, stressful, and causes a lot of shame. The good news is that it's learned behavior and what is learned, can be unlearned. You don't need to wait until you feel more motivated to deal with your procrastination, because putting off something you can start doing now is the whole problem. Just identify the first step and take it. Taking action is habit-forming too.

Perfectionism

Other people may sing your praises, but nothing you ever do feels like it is quite good enough for you. One of the problems with perfectionism is comparing ourselves to others, so try comparing your abilities today to where they were a year ago. Since your internal set point isn't working very well, you can also just decide on an objective measure like the amount of time spent on a task or project, instead of waiting to feel that internal sense of approval. Dealing with perfectionism frees up so much energy and joy, so take the first step. It's worth it.

People-pleasing 

You are the kind of person that is always there for everyone and is known for being dependable and hard-working. You really do try to set boundaries and limits on how much you do for others, but it's just so hard to let anyone down. It's becoming increasingly hard to focus on your own goals and sometimes you really do feel resentful, even though you do what is expected of you anyway. A great way to start unlearning the habit of people-pleasing is deciding for yourself what your limits will be and gaining some practice communicating them to others. Maybe a first step would be to tell that colleague who always asks you to help out that you really can't this time. No excuse, no apology. It is hard at first, but with practice, it gets easier and you gain time, energy, and self-respect in the process.

Distractibility

Most entrepreneurs and creatives have so many ideas on their minds that they have a hard time staying focused. Distracted by social media, their environment, other people and even their own thoughts is a constant struggle. It's time to stop chasing so many rabbits! Learn to recognize what is stealing your attention so you can tame the ones that are holding you back. Creating boundaries means you get your most important stuff done.

Impulsivity

Ordering or buying stuff impulsively instead of thoughtfully can become a real problem. Stop and pause for a moment before you click BUY by having a list of what you actually need before you open that app. And, don't think of it as limiting yourself, think of it as being more picky or selective. You will enjoy what you buy so much more and every purchase will be shame-free.

Time blindness 

Running late, whether it's a little or a lot creates tons of stress and can cost you jobs and relationships. Even if you think you've 'tried them all, make a commitment to using a calendar/planner, whether it's digital or analog. Set a reminder on your phone, maybe two. And, don't ignore them. If you don't have a calendar, then get one now - not "someday" or "tomorrow." It's time to put those good intentions into action and stop letting people down, especially yourself.  I prefer to call time blindness ‘time optimism” because I always think I have more time than I actually do, but when I am not joking around or making light of it, I will tell you it has absolutely held me back in many areas of my life with people that see tardiness as a sign of disrespect, immaturity or self-indulgence. 

The good news is that no matter how long you have been contending with one or more of these traits, you can modify them. A great place to start is to take this quiz: “What’s Holding You Back?” https://bit.ly/whyb-quiz

You will receive your specific result and a short series of emails that will link you to podcast episodes, tools, and strategies that will help you make progress.  Be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself, and partner with someone who is willing to be your accountability partner. The cool thing about being an entrepreneur is that you don’t have a boss.  The hard thing is that you have to be the boss of yourself.  If you have any of the 6 common traits I described in this episode, and they are common because many of us do, they will limit you from reaching your goals and fulfilling your potential.  I know that word might be triggering for some because so many of us have been told we were not fulfilling our potential for fuckever.  But I am saying it because I believe in you and I want you to close the gap, reach your goals, feel great about yourself and achieve success however you define it.  

And if you are in no mood to think about any of this right now, but you are a fan of the show so you listened all the way to the end anyway, remember that you can come back to this episode in January when you are ready.  This episode will be available for the life of the podcast and I plan to keep that going for a long, long, time. Now, go back for that second piece of pumpkin pie or dark chocolate peppermint bark or whatever floats your boat, because you can and because you fucking deserve it.  

Happy holidays, friend! 

When I first talked with Heidi Taylor about being a guest on the podcast, I initially expected to interview her about her specific niche as a consultant - how to use an intake form or questionnaire to pre-screen potential clients for your group coaching program. Clearly, this is something I am interested in learning before re-launching The Boss Up Breakthrough again, and I know it would be of value to my podcast listeners as well.

After we confirmed and started planning the episode, Heidi send me a Voxer message asking me about my Strengths Finder Top 5 and my enneagram number. After I shared my answers, Heidi told me she had an idea for the episode, but it would require a lot more vulnerability and courage, and once she explained what she had in mind, I knew I had to say yes. Here's why...

One of the most talked about episodes of The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast is episode #125, "Lessons from a Failed Launch." The reason is simple. I pulled the plug on my group program launch this fall because I wasn't able to attract enough of my "perfect fit" clients to fill the group program and I simply wasn't willing to create a less-than-optimal experience for the people who signed up. And, then I talked about it openly and honestly on my podcast, to normalize failure and model making mistakes and learning from them.

Heidi's suggestion was this: instead of you interviewing me about my area of expertise, why don't we show your audience by letting me coach you, and sharing some of the tools I use in my consulting business, so I can help you figure out why you might not be attracting enough of the right people to your group program? Spoiler alert: THIS is why I recommend you listen to episode #125 either before or after listening to this one. The cool part is that while this is about me and my business, you will find the insights so relatable for you and your business, too.

If you have ever wondered why you are attracting people to your programs, but they might not be the ones that will get the best results working with you, you are going to want to pay close attention to this conversation between Heidi Taylor and me. I honestly had so many "mind-blown" moments that it literally made me re-think so many things I thought I knew and even rendered me temporarily speechless. If you know me even a little, you know how rare THAT is. So, grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to listen, learn and grow.

My key insight from this interview:

My strengths are 60% in the domain of Strategic Thinking and 40% in the domain of Influencing, so the best clients for me would be those whose strengths are in the areas of Relationship-Building and Executing. I have been marketing to and attracting my twins, but the clients who would get the most amazing results working with me would be my opposites.

Mic Drop Moment: Your screening process needs to uncover what excites and motivates your potential client.

Resources:  Strengths Finder Top 5 Assessment: http://bit.ly/3VP4JVx  (not an affiliate link)

Enneagram Descriptions: http://bit.ly/3OZWvaY (free resource) 

Want to connect with our guest, Heidi Taylor? Let me show you how...

Website: https://www.heiditaylor.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidilistening/

VIP Day: https://www.heiditaylor.ca/intake-form-intensive

Heidi and I both work with female solopreneurs who have an online presence. One of the things our clients have in common is that in spite of our effort, there is often a gap between where they are and where they want to be in their business.   Does this apply to you and do you know the cause?  Take this quiz and get your personalized result, and what to do about it! 

What’s Holding You Back?

https://bit.ly/obstaclesquiz

It’s 4th Quarter, ladies.  Do you know where your business is going to end up for the year? 

For many solopreneurs, the last quarter of the year can feel like a scramble…throw together a Black Friday special, discount your fees because potential clients are thinking about their holiday budget, or just hunker down, serve your existing clients and try to reduce costs for the rest of the year?  There is nothing wrong with doing any of these things, but they are tactics, not a strategy, and tactics might produce results, but it’s a crap shoot.  

If you want to figure out what’s working and what isn’t before another year is over, here is the link to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation:  https://bit.ly/3qrJ9YQ

Not quite ready to commit?  I got you. Join The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Facebook Group by clicking the link right here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman/

Hate Facebook but love Instagram?  Follow me on Insta here: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/ 

If you love and look forward to each episode of The Driven Woman Podcast,  let me know by leaving a review! I’m not a mind reader and podcast reviews really do motivate me to keep creating content and connecting with incredible guests, like Heidi. 

With the dramatic growth in the number of female experts starting knowledge-based businesses in the past few years, it is no surprise that there has been an equally dramatic growth in the number of people offering to help them to reach their business goals. There are business coaches, consultants, and strategists marketing their services for every stage of business from launch to legacy, and for every possible niche and goal. 

With a seemingly endless number of options, it is any wonder that many of us hire the wrong kind of help and either blame the person we hired or ourselves when we fail to get the outcome we expected.  Or maybe you know you need help but are so confused by all the options (or feeling skeptical because you’ve heard one too many horror stories.  If either of these descriptions fit, this episode is for you. 

When I first made the change from being a licensed psychotherapist to being a coach, I got asked at least once a week to describe the difference between the two, but now that I have been helping female solopreneurs for the past few years, I find the conversation has shifted to people wanting to know the difference between the various types of help we might need at various stages of our business and how to hire the right person at the right time. 

So, let’s start with a few definitions from the dictionary and Wikipedia…

Definition of a business strategist 

According to Wikipedia: Business strategy involves answering the question: How shall we compete in this business? Said another way, business strategists help you answer the big meaty questions of what your business does, for whom, how, and why and they help you develop plans to make those things happen.

Definition of a business consultant 

The Merriam-Weber online dictionary defines a consultant as one who gives professional advice or services. A business consultant is typically an experienced professional in a specific field and has a wide knowledge of the subject matter. Due to the speed of change in the online world, someone might market themselves as a consultant who has less than 2 years of experience, but in that time has worked with a high number of clients or high profile clients or both.

Definition of a business coach 

Wikipedia defines coaching as a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance. Business coaching can then be described as partnering with clients in the process of maximizing their potential as business owners, which includes mindset work as well as skill development. 

So, In a nutshell:

If you need to figure things out or make decisions either on the big picture or something specific, hire a strategist. If you need knowledge or support to execute in a particular area of your business, look for the appropriate consultant.  If you need to work on your mindset or behaviors to better reach the goals you have set in your business, a business coach is what you should be looking for. 

Best times to hire a strategist: 

• You’re trying to make sense of all your creative ideas, and opportunities for your business and how they fit together (or not) 
• You want to launch a new program, service, or offering or you want to eliminate your complicated product suite and niche down to a specialty area 
• You’re really not sure what your purpose is, the specific target market you should pursue, and how to package and price your programs and services. 
• You are feeling kind of burned out in your business or things just aren’t working as expected and you don’t know why or how to fix it. 
• You want to completely rebrand or reenvision your business and want a well-thought-out plan to execute from 

Best times to hire a consultant: 

• You already know what you need to do, for example, improve your reach on social media, but need advice on how to do it
• You’ve figured out the who, what, why, and how of your business and want someone to show you how to leverage SEO or YouTube to optimize your marketing
• You want to learn something new, like how to launch an online course and skip the learning curve 
• You want expert guidance on how to do something specific, like hire a VA, trademark your signature framework or improve your business’s awareness of DEI 

Best times to hire a business coach:

• You’re struggling to reach your goals, even though you know what to do 
• You want someone to hold you accountable and talk through concerns 
• You have behaviors, like procrastination or perfectionism that are holding you back from doing good work consistently 
• You want to be a better boss or mentor to your team 
• You are a new business owner and are struggling with your entrepreneurial identity and mindset 

In preparing for this episode, I realized why I have been resisting calling myself a coach for the past couple of years, but haven’t been able to settle on a perfect fit description for what I do.  My journey from therapist to coach and my search for a more accurate term than a coach is an ongoing struggle, but at this time, I would say that I’m a hybrid (like the nearer cars from Hyundai and others ) that run on either gas or electric power.  I function like a strategist + coach, but at times, I shift into consultant mode to address a specific question or when a client needs recommendations, not coaching or strategy.  

Regardless of what I call myself now or in the future, what I do know is that I:

• Work better with established solopreneurs that are not total beginners 
• Work best with service-based businesses and knowledge-preneurs 
• Am well suited to those who have lots of ideas, but struggle to decide which one to focus on or want to rebrand, reinvent or pivot in their existing business 
• Like to shift between the big picture and the nitty gritty 
• Love analogies and metaphors, generating frameworks, and acronyms, and creating alliteration in my sleep to break down concepts & make them memorable 
• Have a degree in communications, a background in sales, and two decades of experience as a therapist, and have started and run several successful businesses, so my actual took kit is pretty full 

Unfortunately, my domain name for my business is www.diannwingertcoaching and my IG and Linked In handles are both coachdiannwingert 

So,  I will refer to myself (for now) as a business strategist and coach who can help you map out your business plan, identify the obstacles you are likely to face, and help you overcome them while implementing the plan. 

I’ve shared on this podcast how investing in the wrong kind of help not only cost me a fuck ton of money but also set me back big-time in terms of my self-esteem because I stopped trusting myself to make good business decisions. What followed was a backlash of several years spent trying to figure it all out on my own so that I wouldn’t make another bad hiring decision.  Insisting on doing everything on my own meant having to learn everything from creating a website to social media, email marketing, and how to package, price, and promote my services.  Doing it on my own also meant researching every possible option for each of these learning areas.  I had never worked so hard in my life and felt like I had so little to show for it.  Fortunately, I eventually realized that I was digging a hole, not paving a road, and recognized I not only needed help, but I was ready to face the prospect of making another bad decision if it meant I was climbing out of the quicksand of my own stubborn self-reliance.  

If this has not already happened to you,  I’d like to share some general tips for hiring help for your business. And if it has happened to you,  maybe I put some past choices into perspective so you can move forward, regain your pride, and get the help you need with confidence.  Either way, let yourself off the hook, even if you made an obvious mistake because failure and bad decisions are part of the entrepreneurial journey and there really is a lot of confusion in the industry, even among those who are marketing themselves as coaches, consultants, and strategists. 

A short list of Don’ts… 

Don't hire a strategist and ask them to do the work for you. They can help you think things through & make decisions, but they shouldn’t be expected to deal with your second-guessing or fear of failure. 

Don't hire a consultant to advise you on how to do something unless you are 100% clear it is the right thing for you to be doing at this stage of your business. 

Don't hire a coach and expect them to tell you what to do or make the strategic decisions for your business for you.  

Don’t expect any of these professionals to be your therapist.  Being an entrepreneur can be very challenging for your mental health and there are some excellent therapists who specialize in working with entrepreneurs.  

In the ginormous marketplace called the internet, with an unregulated field like coaching and the fast-growing industry of online business and marketing,  it is up to you, the consumer to be informed about who you are hiring and why.   One of the reasons I do a screening process and a free consultation is because I need to be certain that I am the right person for the right reason at the right time.  I want every client to be delighted with their results from working with me, which means I have to be willing to turn someone away who isn’t right or isn’t ready.  

If you are looking for someone to partner with you to move your business forward, trust your intuition and do your due diligence.  Don’t just hire the person your biz bestie raves about or get swept into something because of FOMO when you see everyone at the event racing to the back of the room, credit card in hand.  Make sure you are not hoping the person you hire is a mind reader who will understand what you need and give it to you, something I refer to as magical thinking.  If you have done this in the past,  I encourage you to listen to episode # 129 of this podcast, “There is No Magic Pill” for additional insights.   

And if you are ready for a hybrid strategist + coach, like my approach, and think we might be a fit,  there’s a link in the show notes to book your free consultation.  

https://bit.ly/calendly-free-consultation

You already know you can only learn so much from a podcast, no matter how generously the host shares their wisdom.  Just imagine how different your business could look in 2023 can look if you get started now!  You can also book a spot now, enjoy the holidays, and start in January, but it all starts with a free consultation and I only work with a limited number of clients at a time. 

If this was helpful, share it with someone who needs it.  Be sure to subscribe or follow The Driven Woman Entrepreneur on your favorite podcast player so you will be notified automatically next week when I share the mic with best-selling author, podcaster, coach, and serial entrepreneur Jadah Sellner.  We will be talking about pacing your ambition, preventing burnout while meeting your goals, and her amazing new book “She Builds: The Anti-Hustle Guide to Grow Your Business and Nourish Your Life.”  

In the meantime, stay driven! 

Sandra Scaiano is a web designer and brand strategist for female entrepreneurs. After a 20-year corporate career, she created a business that brings her joy and allows her to be present for her family and partner with clients who become raving fans and long-time friends.  While many business strategists try to sell you on their "proven system",  Sandra brings out the brilliance in each of her clients and helps them create and amplify their unique brand voice so they stand out and shine.  When it comes to client attraction, it’s not about doing things better, it’s about being the singular choice for your just right clients.  To do that, you need to lean into what makes you special, and that’s where Sandra comes in. 

Sandra and I connected through an online community of female business owners and I was immediately attracted to her message of playing the long game.  The majority of business strategists and coaches are preaching overnight success stories, but don’t reveal that their “proven process” has a 3% success rate.  For the other 97% (you and me and everyone else…) the long game is the game.  We need to have the patience to try new things, start before we are ready, trust our instincts, and dance with failure.  Over time, and through grit, determination, and resilience, we succeed.  When you infuse joy into your business and learn to love the process, not just strive for the results, you have a business that is purpose-filled and profitable. 

Mic drop moment:  "I have a front-row seat to the back end of people's businesses."

Highlights from this exciting interview: 

• Creativity + strategy allows you to be your most authentic self
• Planning  & strategy = consistent results
• Don't crowdsource your business decisions to FB groups!
• Playing the long game is fun when you infuse joy into your business 

Want to connect with our guest, Sandra Scaiano? 

• Website: https://sandrasky.com/
• 
  
• Podcast: https://sandrasky.com/podcast/
• 
  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandrascai/

Sandra and I both work with female solopreneurs who have an online presence. One of the things our clients have in common is that in spite of our effort, there is often a gap between where they are and where they want to be in their business.   Does this apply to you and do you know the cause?  Take this quiz and get your personalized result, and what to do about it! 

What’s Holding You Back?

https://bit.ly/obstaclesquiz

It’s 4th Quarter, ladies.  Do you know where your business is going to end up for the year? 

For many solopreneurs, the last quarter of the year can feel like a scramble…throw together a Black Friday special, discount your fees because potential clients are thinking about their holiday budget, or just hunker down, serve your existing clients and try to reduce costs for the rest of the year?  There is nothing wrong with doing any of these things, but they are tactics, not a strategy, and tactics might produce results, but it’s a crap shoot.  

I am taking a one-week break during the month of December to spend with my adult children, but I am taking on a limited number of 1:1 clients in Q4, combining business strategy and mindset coaching.  If you want to figure out what’s working and what isn’t before another year is over, here is the link to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation:  https://bit.ly/3qrJ9YQ

Not quite ready to commit?  I got you. Join The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Facebook Group by clicking the link right here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman/

Hate Facebook but love Instagram?  Follow me on Insta here: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/ 

If you love and look forward to each episode of The Driven Woman Podcast,  let me know by leaving a review! I’m not a mind reader and podcast reviews really do motivate me to keep creating this show & bringing you awesome guests and no-BS solo episodes. 

Apple: https://apple.co/2BZDFzc

Android: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-driven-woman-1194485

Don’t forget to join us next week for Episode # 135 when I return with another straight-shooting solo show.  If you haven’t already, please follow/subscribe to The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast so you won’t miss a single thing!

It's mid-November and the holidays are right around the corner. As a solopreneur, you can go all-in on a Black Friday Sale, take time off or just hunker down and wait out the rest of the year because "nobody buys coaching or consulting services in Q4."

Well, I don't believe that, for the record, and I will still be selling in December, along with enjoying friends and family time. But, there's one more thing I am doing to insure I start 2023 strong, and prepared for growth. In fact, I'm doing it right now, so I decided to record this episode and share it with you.

I am referring to my business audit, or "clean sweep." In episode #131 I talked about the need to manage our boundaries with time, energy, effort, money, and relationships. Here's the handy checklist in case you missed it https://bit.ly/5typeschecklist. The business audit shows you how to free up money, time, and energy in a very practical way that will start to release stress and overwhelm you so you have more energy and enthusiasm for growth in the new year.

There are 3 phases of the audit:

• List: identify where you are spending money and time
• Leverage: assess the ROI and ROE (energy)
• Let Go: cancel, delete, put on hold to create space

You may feel some emotions as you go through this process, I did, but once they had passed I felt lighter and more optimistic about the future and I believe you will too if you try this strategy. If you think this is going to challenge you, do the 3 steps on different days and do it with a biz bestie for accountability. If you complete this process, I'd love to hear from you. Let me know how much money & time you saved yourself each month by DM'ing me @coachdiannwingert on IG or Linked In.

Spending time and money on things that are not serving you and your business is one of the most common ways female solopreneurs slow their growth, but there are several behaviors that also hold us back. I created a quiz with 6 different behaviors I often see in female solopreneurs that slow their success. Here’s your invitation to take the quiz, and get specific feedback, guidance, and practical advice about your particular challenge and more importantly, steps you can take to fix it.

Click on this link to take the quiz: What’s Holding You Back? https://bit.ly/obstaclesquiz

Hate quizzes? No problem! Let’s connect on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/ or

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannwingertcoaching/

That’s all for now, Driven Woman! Please join us next week for another amazing guest interview!

Until then, stay driven!

Tara Newman is an organizational psychologist, certified Profit First consultant, host of the Bold Money Revolution Podcast, and leader of The Bold Profit Academy.  Tara is exactly the kind of woman I want in my inner circle because she knows firsthand that being an expert, serving with purpose, and working your ass off doesn’t add up to a profitable business for most women and she’s on a bold mission to change that.  

Here are a few facts that Tara shared with me during our conversation that should help you recognize this episode is not only potentially a game changer for you and your business, but it is also one to share with another female business owner.  

According to a recent UBS Survey:

• 51% of women default to their male partner when making financial decisions but 100% of women feel comfortable making decisions about charitable giving on their own
• 88% of female business owners make less than $100k in revenue

We also chat about what Tara calls an Owners Statement and how she differentiates between personal values and business values.

This was an eye-opener: Most women want a fully remote business but that does not mean they want an online business.

Make sure you listen for Tara’s Zombie Apocalypse analogy - which type of walking dead character are you?

Want to connect with our guest? 

• Website: https://theboldleadershiprevolution.com/
• Podcast: https://theboldleadershiprevolution.com/podcast/
• Revenue Goal Calculator: https://theboldleadershiprevolution.com/revenue-goal-calculator/
• The Bold Profit Academy: https://theboldleadershiprevolution.com/the-bold-profit-academy/

Tara Newman and I both work with high-achieving women and one of the common themes is that in spite of our effort, there is often a gap between where we are and where we want to be.   Does this apply to you and do you know the cause?  Take this quiz and get your personalized result, and what to do about it! 

What’s Holding You Back?

https://bit.ly/obstaclesquiz

It’s 4th Quarter, ladies.  Do you know where your business is going to end up for the year? 

For many solopreneurs, the last quarter of the year can feel like a scramble…throw together a Black Friday special, discount your fees because potential clients are thinking about their holiday budget, or just hunker down, serve your existing clients and try to reduce costs for the rest of the year?  There is nothing wrong with doing any of these things, but they are tactics, not a strategy, and tactics might produce results, but it’s a crap shoot.  

I am taking on a limited number of 1:1 clients in Q4, combining strategy and mindset coaching so you have a plan AND can get past your procrastination and perfectionism to implement it.  If you want to figure out what’s working and what isn’t before another year is over, here is the link to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation:  https://bit.ly/3qrJ9YQ

Not quite ready to commit?  I got you. Join The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Facebook Group by clicking the link right here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman/

Hate Facebook but love Instagram?  Follow me on Insta here: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/ 

If you love and look forward to each episode of The Driven Woman Podcast,  let me know by leaving a review! I’m not a mind reader and podcast reviews really do motivate me to keep creating this show & bringing you awesome guests and no-BS solo episodes. 

Apple: https://apple.co/2BZDFzc

Android: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-driven-woman-1194485

Don’t forget to join us next week for Episode # 133 when I return with another straight-shooting solo show.  If you haven’t already, please follow/subscribe to The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast so you won’t miss a single thing.

Summary 

The topic of boundaries has never been more important than it is now because entrepreneurs are burning out, and far too businesses aren't profitable. This straight-shooting solo episode will walk you through each of the five areas where you probably need to beef up your boundaries, how to know if you should, and the first step to take to find out. If you're thinking this is one more time-wasting task on your neverending To-Do list, think twice. These strategies are guaranteed to burnout-proof your business while boosting your bottom line. 

Host Notes

One of the areas of business strategy I find most of my clients need help with is business boundaries, and often times they don't even realize it. Boundary problems may be the root cause when you find yourself working too much, making too little, and dealing with needy, demanding, or never-satisfied clients. Boundary problems are often to blame for working really hard but not moving forward, investing a ton in learning for your business but never having enough time to implement what you have learned. If any of this sounds familiar, this episode is for you. 

When we struggle with boundaries, we tend to feel resentful, frustrated and overwhelmed. We may think it's a time management issue or that we simply have too much to do and not enough support from others. The tendency to blame, whether ourselves or others is very tempting (I do it too, from time to time...) but nothing moves the needle like self-awareness and personal responsibility. This is truly empowering because when we recognize that we are part of the problem, we can then get busy creating a solution. And, in this episode, I am going to show you exactly how to get started. 

The 5 types of boundaries you need in your business are time, energy, money, people & effort. The place to start with each of them is to uncover where you are investing, spending, and wasting each of these resources. Behavior change is hard, and this episode is a big-picture overview. Pick one area and take the first step. Once you've made some progress, take another step or take the first step in another category. 

Every action we take that reduces our risk of burnout and increases our profit ratio improves the sustainability of our business and gives us more confidence in our entrepreneurial journey. Rather than buying yet another course or enrolling in yet another quick-fix program, take a look at where you can bolster your boundaries for free with these simple steps.  Listening to this episode will give you the big-picture perspective on why you need better business boundaries, but to move the needle, you need to take action and for that, you need a roadmap.   

Click this link to get my PDF checklist “5 Types of Boundaries You Need in Your Business” with action steps for each area and links to free resources that will help you get started:  https://bit.ly/5typeschecklist

I am working on an audio course on the topic of boundaries for female solopreneurs, so stay tuned to be one of the first to hear about it when it’s released.  

So, that’s all for now, Driven Woman! Please join us next week for another amazing guest interview with Tara Newman, who is going to straighten out our money madness and steer us toward greater profit potential in our business.

Women who have the audacity to speak their truth without guilt or apology are absolutely some of my favorite people and today’s guest, Neena Perez and I became instant friends. As soon as I saw the name of her podcast,  “Straight Talk, No Sugar Added”, and the title of her book, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot, How I Overcame a Hard Hitting Life”, I knew I was going to connect with business and performance coach, author, podcaster, and total baddie, Neena Perez.   Neena is also a chef and director of culinary operations, so believe me when I say this woman is a powerhouse and I am excited to introduce you to her.  

Instead of giving into the mindset and way of life she saw growing up, Neena was determined to not only survive but to succeed.   She knew that the key to overcoming her challenges was by changing her thinking, doing the work, and finding people to surround herself with who did not accept limits. Neena and I had such a great convo because she is just as direct and straightforward as I am.  She is also wise, generous, kind, and funny.  If you love this episode, you definitely want to check out our conversation on Straight Talk, No Sugar Added.  Her coaching framework is called  Master Your Game (Goals, Accountability, Mind-flow, Energy) 

Neena’s straight talk for solopreneurs: 

• Know your why & go 7 levels deep
• Reject the victim mindset 
• Don’t expect handouts or ease
• Boundaries are your friend 
• Focus on your goals, not what others are doing 
• Face your fears 

Mic Drop Moments: 

“If you have to bend down to get into the room, you are in the wrong room.” 

“Worrying about the opinions of others keeps you unsuccessful.”

Want to connect with our guest? 

Website: https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/

Podcast: https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/podcast/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/neenaperez/

Neena Perez and I both work with high-achieving women and one of the common themes is that in spite of our effort, there is often a gap between where we are and where we want to be.   Does this apply to you and do you know the cause?  Take this quiz and get your personalized result, and what to do about it! 

What’s Holding You Back?

https://bit.ly/obstaclesquiz

Want a little more connection?  Join The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman/  

Or connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/ 

Before you bounce, would you please leave a review of The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast, I’d love to read it on a future episode!    

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Don’t forget to join us next week for Episode #133 when I return with another juicy solo episode.  If you haven’t already, please follow/subscribe to The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast so you won’t miss a single thing! 

Of all the things we need to learn how to master as a coach or consultant is expectation management.  It is more important than your niche, your offers, your marketing, price point, packaging our expertise or what social media platforms to spend our time on.   You can’t fully rely on your potential client to know what they expect from hiring you, either.  You have to get ahead of the conversation by asking questions that reveal their unconscious beliefs and desires because those are the ones they will judge you by. 

Something I have come to understand is how often clients are looking for a Magic Pill and have zero self awareness that this is even the case.  A Magic Pill is the belief that there will be a perfect solution to whatever we are struggling with, and they just keep trying different things until they find it.   Sometimes we unwittingly participate in this search for a Magic Pill by the way we market our services and sell our programs by over stating the benefits. 

Change is hard and requires that we change our beliefs and our identity, not just our behavior.  We all want solutions that are easy, fast and effortless, but meaningful and lasting change almost never is.   In this no-BS solo episode, we are going to dismantle the myth of the Magic Pill, so we can offer our potential clients genuine value, and no-BS offers, not hype. 

Highlights of this episode:

• What is a Magic Pill and why are so many of us looking for one? 
• How coaches and consultants are selling Magic Pills without realizing it 
• What we can learn from the weight loss industry about human nature 
• Alternatives to Magic Pill thinking 
• Being in the right room & leaving when it’s time to move on
• Watching for opportunities to be an early adopter
• Being willing to experiment and fail 
• Being willing to tolerate discomfort 
• Recognize what people really want: guidance, support & accountability 

Even if you aren’t desperately seeking magic pills, you may have habits in your business that cost you income, profit, and success.  I created a quiz with 6 different behaviors I often see in female solopreneurs that hold them back. Here’s your invitation to take the quiz, and get specific feedback, guidance, and practical advice about your particular challenge and more importantly, steps you can take to fix it.   

Click on this link to take the quiz: What’s Holding You Back?   https://bit.ly/obstaclesquiz

First time here? Join The Driven Woman Facebook Group

The place to be for entrepreneurial women who are ready to go from driven and distracted to focused, fired up, and flame retardant  (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman) 

Hate Facebook?  Let’s connect on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/  or 

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannwingertcoaching/

So, that’s all for now, Driven Woman!  Please join us next week for another amazing guest interview with Neena Perez.  We talk about what we both learned from a challenging childhood that has made us who we are, two No-BS business coaches.  I hope you’ll join us for a very fun and inspiring conversation. 

In the meantime, stay driven!  

One of the complaints I hear most often from other female solopreneurs is that they find it close to impossible to write high-quality emails to their list, but not everyone is in a position to hire a copywriter to take that task off their hands.  

There are so many different kinds of emails that a business owner may need to send at different times from onboarding sequences to nurturing sequences, sales emails,  and even invitations to unsubscribe when people have not been opening them for a while, that even those who are pretty confident about their writing skills, like me, can get pretty lost in the weeds. 

Today’s guest, Meera Kothand began her online business journey as a blogger and began writing books for other bloggers, several of which became Amazon best sellers.  She now focuses on helping digital marketers write emails that convert subscribers to customers in a way that is both strategic and sustainable by making them more simple and fun, which was music to my ears.  

Even though I have purchased several of her books over the past few years,  there were a couple of moments during this interview where some really critical strategies finally made complete sense to me.   

It was a really good reminder to be compassionate with myself about how long it really takes to learn to be successful as a solopreneur because of all the different skills we juggle on a daily basis with or without a team.  I am making some changes in my emails as a result of this convo and you might find yourself motivated enough to get back on track with your email marketing too. 

Learn more about Meera: 

• Her website, consistently named on the Top 100 sites for solopreneurs:  www.meerakothand.com 
• Email courses: https://www.meerakothand.com/learn/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/meerakothand/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/meerakothand/

Maybe the only thing holding you back is that you’re not writing emails that convert. If that’s the case, Meera has your back.  But, what if you don’t know why you are working so hard to get ahead in your business and just can’t seem to reach those higher-level goals?  Take my quiz and find out! 

TAKE THE QUIZ:  What’s Holding You Back? https://bit.ly/obstaclesquiz

It’s 4th Quarter, ladies.  Do you know where your business is going to end up for the year? 

For many solopreneurs, the last quarter of the year can feel like a scramble…throw together a Black Friday special, discount your fees because potential clients are thinking about their holiday budget, or just hunker down, serve your existing clients and try to reduce costs for the rest of the year?  There is nothing wrong with doing any of these things, but they are tactics, not a strategy, and tactics might produce results, but it’s a crap shoot.  

I am taking on a limited number of 1:1 clients in Q4, combining strategy and mindset coaching so you have a plan AND can get past your procrastination and perfectionism to implement it.  If you want to figure out what’s working and what isn’t before another year is over, here is the link to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation:  https://bit.ly/3qrJ9YQ

Not quite ready to commit?  I got you.  Join The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Facebook Group by clicking the link right here: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman/

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